History & Reputation

Van Ham Fine Art Auctions was founded in 1959 by Europe's first female auctioneer, Carola van Ham, in Cologne, the fourth-largest city in Germany and a major cultural hub. Today, Van Ham remains a family-run business best known for its modern and contemporary art auctions. On average, the international auction house holds 16 sales each year in a variety of categories, including European applied arts, photography and jewelry. Van Ham provides ample opportunities for online buyers, offering 17 auctions online on Invaluable.com for carpets and tapestries; Asian, contemporary and modern art; jewelry and watches; and more.

Van Ham Fine Art Auctions has also gained worldwide recognition for its efforts to provide restitution to the Jewish community, from whom the Nazis stole many works of art and cultural artifacts during the Holocaust era. The German auction house has made significant efforts to ensure the return of stolen art to its rightful owners or to arrange for appropriate compensation. A notable example of Van Ham's restitution auctions was a rare and exceptionally preserved Botticelli painting depicting the Virgin Mary, the young Christ, John the Baptist and an angel that went to auction in November 2014.

Services & Staff

Aside from regularly offering successful auctions, Van Ham Fine Art Auctions offers personal consultations by their dedicated team of specialists through a network of international offices. The auction house also offers professional management of artists' estates through the Van Ham Art Estate. Last but not least, Van Ham has a scientific devotion to researching and confirming the authenticity of the valuable artwork that goes to auction.

Van Ham employs a vibrant team of 35 employees. Van Ham's director, Markus Eisenbeis, son of Carola van Ham, is renowned as the vice president of Germany's Art Auctioneers Association. Eisenbeis also guest lectures from time to time at various universities who are training up the next generation of art specialists.